100 roadside trees felled in Sunamganj

A section of unscrupulous people felled around 100 trees along Jagannathpur-Pagla road in Sadar upazila of Sunamganj district in the last two months.

During a recent visit, this correspondent found a local elderly man collecting felled trees from two sides of Goiashpur point of the road for firewood.

Dharakhai, Kunakhali and Mojidpur areas along the road witnessed the same incident during the period.

The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) planted mahogany, eucalyptus and other trees in 21 kilometres area along the road 15 years ago.

Unscrupulous people continued random tree felling through the areas but no initiative has been taken in this regard, said college student Saiful Islam, a resident of Goiashpur village.

Nurul Haque, president of Jagannathpur Upazila Nagorik Forum, said, "Criminals felled at least100 trees along the road in different areas of Sadar upazila for over last two months but the authorities are yet to take any initiative in this regard."

Farid Ahmed, an employee of Sunamganj RHD, said a gang felled the trees with the help of some local people at night.

Abdul Karim Kim, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa), Sylhet chapter, said criminals continued felling trees, threatening the environment.

Anwarul Amin, executive engineer of RHD in Sunamganj, said they will take legal actions against the persons involved after investigation.